Arc lamp



Jan. 12, 1932. J. H. wAGENHoRsT ARC LAMP :5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed July23, 1928 Janl2, 1932. J. H. wAGl-:NHoRsT 1,840,860

ARC LAMP Filed July 23, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 VPatented Jan. 12, 1932JAMES H. WAGNHORST,

F JACKSON, MICHIGAN vAm: LAMP Application filedv `.Tilly 23,

My invention relates to improvements in arc lamps.

The principal object` of my invention is to provide an arc lamp which issimpler and more compact in structure vthan any similar lamp heretoforeknown or used. `A further object of my invention is to provide animproved arc lamp which may be manufactured l more economically duetothe simplicity of its construction and the reduction in the number ofparts. Another object of my in vention is to provide an arclampstructure which is more compact than those heretofore known .and inwhich it is easier to takeout the carbons and substitute new ones.Afurther object of my invention is toy provide an arc lamp which willgive a uniform light output and operate eiicientlyl in any position and,to that end, one of my `objectsis to Vprovide an operating mechanism forthe arc lamp which reduces friction betweenthe parts to the minimum.

A further object of my invention istov provide an arc lamp in which theelectrodes and the operating parts therefor are all mounted upon orsupported from a single bar which constitutes, as it were, the backboneof the structure. A further object of my invention is to provide aclutch `cooperating with one of the electrodes and a clutch-operatinglink which are connected by'levers to the supporting frame, so that themovement of the clutch-operating link will be limited to a definite pathregardlessofthe position of the lamp in use. A further object of myinven- `tion is to provide a construction in which compactness issecured and, at the same time, the clutch-operating link is so connectedwith the operating lever and the clutch as to give the required leveragebetween such parts. A further object of my invention is to provide anoperating solenoid having a core provided with guidingmeans so that thecore will be confined to movement in a right line regardless of theoperating posit'on of the lamp, thus avoiding `undue friction whichotherwise might result w-hen the `lamp is used in certain positions.

Further objects,and objects relating to details and economies ofconstructonand op- Vconsisting of a bar having its upper and 1928.Serial No. 294,678.

eration, will definitely appear from the detailed f description tofollow. In one instance, Iaccomplish the lobjects of my invention by thedevicesand means set forth in the following specification. My inventionis clearly defined and pointed out inthe appended claims. A structureconstitutinga preferred embodiment of my invent-ion is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, n forming a part of this specification, in sowhich:

Figure l is a view, in side elevation, of an are lamp embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the lamp in front elevation; y 1

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the lamp.

Fig. `4 is a view of the frame, the electrodes and the operatingmechanism therefor, the cabinet having been removed; Y

Fig. y5 is aV view in front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4; iFig. 6 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4,showing the clutch and its mounting; Y

. F ig. 8 isa vertical, sectionalview taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7

Fig.` 9 is a vertical, sectional View through the dash pot;

Fig. 10 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 4,showing the holder for the upper electrodes and 1 Fig. 11 is a detail,sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Fig. 4, showing the mountingfor the lower electrodes. Y

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same partsthroughout the several views and the sectional views are ktaken lookingin the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Ingeneral, I accomplish the objects of my invention by providing asupporting frame lower endsturned forwardly. The lower electrode, orelectrodes, arey supported from the forwardly-turned lower end of thisbar. The clutch-operating lever and the dash pot are supported from theforwardly-turned upper end ofthe bar. The operating solenoid lUt is alsosupported from the bar, which thus constitutes the backbone of the arclamp structure. I have simplified the construction and reduced thenumber of parts by eliminating the customary guide for the upperelectrodes and providing a clutch cooperating with one of them, which issupported by a rocker arm and has connected thereto a clutch-operatinglink, the upper end of which is connected to the operating lever. Theupper electrode, therefore, is supported by a parallel linkage and iscompelled to move in the same path regardless of the operating positionof the lamp. This has proved very effective in eliminatingl sources offriction,

besides reducing the number of parts. I have succeeded in making thestructure very compact, while providing the necessary leverage, bybending in opposite directions the upper and lower ends of theclutchsoilierating rod and connecting them to the clutch and theoperating lever, respectively.

In order to eliminate a considerable source of friction, I have provideda guide for the lower end of the solenoid core which prevents itsrubbing against the solenoid, or other parts of the lamp structure, whenthe lamp is tilted. I have also provided a dash pot of the compressiontype which is mounted on the forwardly turned upper end of thesupporting bar and in which a plunger works, said plunger beingconnected by a link to theclutch.

In the drawings, I have illustrated a lamp of the single arc typehaving, however, two pairs of carbons so mounted and arranged that thearc will transfer automatically from one pair to the other, thus givingtwice as long a period of operation before it becomes necessary to trimor replace the carbons. My invention, of course, could be embodie-d in alamp structure employing only a single pair of carbons or could beembodied in a structure having a twin arc instead of a single arc.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, in which I haveillustrated an arc lamp constituting one embodiment of my in vention, Ihave shown a supporting frame consisting of the bar 10 having its upperand i lower ends turned forwardly, at 11 and 12,

respectively. A slot 13 is formed in the end 12 of the bar. A post 14,positioned in the rear end of this slot, is surrounded by an insulatingsleeve 15, and clamped in the slot 13 by bolts 16 and nut 17, as shownin detail in Fig. 11. The upper end of post 14 is fastened by a rivet 22to the rear clamping inember 18 for clamping the lower electrodes.

The lower carbon electrodes 2O and 21 are supported in parallelrelationship by the clamping members 18 and 19, each provided with thealined concave portions 23 and 24, which embrace the lower ends of thecarbone'.

` These clamping members are held together by the clamping screws 25,one of which may serve as a terminal to which one of the line wiressupplying current for the arc lamp is connected.

The upper carbon electrodes, 26 and 27, are clamped in parallelrelationship by the clamping members 28 and 29, having alined concaveportions embracing the upper ends of said electrodes and forming theholder for the upper electrodes. These members are clamped together uponthe upper ends of the electrodes by the clamping screws 30 and 31, thescrew 31 serving as a terminal for the lead 91.' A guide bracket 32 isfastened te the clamping member 29 by screw 34, and surrounded byinsulation 33 so that the guide bracket is insulated from the clampingmembers and the electrodes. The upper end of this bracket is turnedlaterally, at 35, and has a hole therein through which theclutch-operating rod 36 extends.

The clutch-operating lever is pivoted at the end of theforwardly-extending portion 11 of the main supporting bar. Thisclutch-operating lever is of U-shape comprising the side members 37 withtheir rear ends bent laterally away from each other, at 3S, and the basemember 39. The upper end of the clutch-operating rod is bent forwardly,at 44, and pivotally connected to the forward end of the lever 37, whichstraddles it. This connection is best seen in Fig. G. A bolt 40 en tendsthrough the legs 37 of the operating lever and through an insulatingsleeve 45, fixed in an eye 43 formed at the forward end of the arm 44.

Nuts 41 are screwed on the bolts 40 on either side of the eye 43, andinsulating washers 42 are interposed between said nuts and the eye 43.In this way, the upper end of the clutch-operating rod is insulated fromthe operating lever but pivotally connected thereto. The operating leverstraddles the front end of the portion 11 of the supporting bar, and itis pivotally connected thereto by means of cotter pin 46, as shown inFig.

The lower end of the clutch-operating rod 36 is bent rearwardly, at 47,and pivotally connected to the clutch member by the cotter pin 48. Theclutch member comprises a strap bent to form the two rearw rdly-extending portions 49 and 50 spaced from each other and connected by theportion 51. The arm 47 of the operating rod lies between the spacedportions 49 and 50 of the clutch. as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The forwardend of the portion 49 of the clutch is bent laterally, at 52, and thenbent, at 53, to embrace one of the carbons, as shown, the carbon 2G. Theother member 50 of the clutch is bent laterally, at 54, and then bent at05 so as to loosew ly surround the other carbon 27. This clutch memberis supported by a rocker arm 513, the forward end of which is bentlaterally, at 57, and entends through the forward portions of clutcharms 50 and 49, being held in place Lil Fig. 7). This portion 57 oftherocker arm,

extends just beneath the forward end of the arm 47 of theclutch-operating rod, so as to act as astop for the rod` under certainconditions. The rear end-of the rocker arm 56 is bent laterally, at 58,and the portion 58 is journaled in a sleeve 59, which is surrounded byan insulating sleeve 60 and mounted in a bracket 61, fastened by bolts62 to the main supporting bar 10.

A cross-pin 63 extends through the end of the portion 58 of the rockerarm and this crosspin works in a slot 64, which limits its movement and,thereby, limits the rocking movement of the rocker arm 56.

A dash pot 65 is fastened to the upper arm 11 of the main supportingbar. yThe dash pot is provided with a stem 66 extending ,iupwardly fromthe closed upper end. This stem extends throughv the arm 11 and has nuts67 and 68 threaded thereon, on opposite side of the arm, so as to holdthe dash pot fixed in position relative thereto, while permitting itsadjustment. A plunger 69 works in the dash pot 65,7and `hasa centralopening in which is fiXe-d a sleeve `70, the lower end of which isconnected by a cotter pin 71 to the upper-end of a rod 72. The lower endof the rod 72 is bent laterally at -73 and extends through clutch arms50 andv 49,;being secured f in place relative thereto by the cotterpin74. Movement of the clutch member, there.

fore, causes a movement of the plunger 69 within the dash pot. AThisdash pot is of the compression type. It tends to retard upwardmovementof the plunger 69, within lthe dash pot, due to the compressionof the air therein and the limited vent provided for the .escape of suchair, but it permits free downward movement of the plunger. To this end,a valve 75 is provided vclosing the upper end of thetu-be 70, and havinga stem 76 within said tube which carries a cotter pin 77 eX- tendingthrough slots 78 formedkin the walls of the tube.` This permits alimited movement of the valve stem with vreference to the tube, such asis necessary to unseat the valve upon the downward movement of theplunger 69.

The clutch-operating solenoid 80 is mounted upon the supporting arm 10,being carried by upper and lower brackets 81, fastened bv bolts 82 tothe bar 10. A core 83 works with the solenoid 80. A guide rod 84 ispivotally connected. at 85. tothe lower end of this core, and isslidablv mounted in a hole 86 formed in a bracket 87` fastened to thebar 10. This furnishes a. guide for the core so that thecore will notrub against the solenoid and thus cause friction when the lamp is usedin a tilted position. Springs 88 are connected to the upper end ofthecore 83 and these springs are connected, at 89, to the flaring rear ends38of theoperating lever.

' One linefwire 90 is connected to the upper end of the solenoid 80. Thecurrent comes inthrough the wire 90, passes through the solenoid 80,and, thence, through the lead 91 to the upper electrodes. The currentpasses through one or the other of the upper electrodes to thecorresponding lower electrode and, thence, through the clamping membersforthe lower electrodes and the terminal screw to theoutgoing lead 92.Of course, it will be understood that suitable resistance may beincluded in this circuit as may be necessary to provide the propervoltage. and ainlperage for efficient operation.

-heflamp and the operating mechanism are housed within a cabinet havingan elongated upper part, 93, and an enlarged lower portion 94,which isof substantially parabolic form. A handle 95 is pivoted to the sidewalls of the upper portion 93 of the cabinet, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.The front ofthe upper portion of the cabinet is closed by a removableplate 96 provided with a plurality Vof perforations 104, through whichair can Vget into the upper part of the cabinet for the purpose ofcooling the operating mechanism. The plate 96 is provided with anedge-groove 97 which fits over the flange at the front edge of theportion 98 of the cabinet, so that, this front plate can be removed bysliding it upwardly on the front of the cabinet. A re- Hector 98 ismounted within the lower portion 94 of the cabinet This reflectorconsists of a flatl sheet of metahso polished as to form an adequatereflector, and it is carried by the clutch member. Holes 101 are formedin this reiectory plate to permit the upper carbons 26, 27 to passtherethrough.- A tongue 99 is struck up from the reflector, at thepoints where the holes are formed to admit the carbons, and this tongue99 is'fastened to the portions 52, 54 of the clutch by the screws 100.This refiector, therefore, is carried by the clutch and is movablewith'it as the latter' rises and falls in the operation of the lamp. Themounting of this reiiector upon the clutch assists in making thestructure more compact than would otherwise be the case.

It will be observed that this lamp structure is a very simple andcompact one. The supporting bar constitutes a very simple frame and onewhich can be cheaply manufactured, and the operating mechanism is somounted on this supporting bar that the whole lamp is very compactlyarranged. It

i Ol

lli)

the use of such a guide member. This arrangement of the clutch mountedon a rocker arm and cooperating with the movable electrodes is a novelone, which contributes to the i simplicity of the structure and itseconomical manufacture. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 it "y" will be seenthat, when the circuit is closed through the solenoid, theclutch-operating rod will be litted and this tilts the clutch memberaround the end 57 of the rocker arm so that the clutch will grip theelectrode and left the same as the clutch-operating rod moves upward. twill hold it in this position until the circuit through the solenoid isbroken due to the extinguishment oli' the arc as the earbons burn away.Then this happens, the clutch-operating red will descend, tilting` theclutch in the reverse direction and lowering it until it Ytreestlie'electrode and permits the latter to move downwardly with respect tothe clutch when the lower end of the clutch-operating rod hits theportion 57 o-l" the rocher arm, which acts as a stop. It will also benoted that the stop pin 63 serves to limit the pivotal movement of therocker arm about its journal. This makes a very simple, cheap andetl'ective construction oi clutch.

It will also be noted that a compact arrangement is secured, while, atthe same time, sutlicient leverage is given, by bending in oppos-itedirections the upper and lower ends ot the clutch-operating rod to theirpoints of connection with the lever and the clutch respectively.Furthermore, trie parts are so' mounted that friction is reduced verygreatly due to the fact that the clutch-operating rod and, hence, thecarbons are suspended by aparallel linkage arrangement consisting of therocker arm 56 and the operating lever 3T. The carbone will always movein the same path regardless of the position of the lamp when in use.This is very important as it prevents friction due to the binding of thecarbone with stationary parts ot the lamp and it makes a lamp structurewhich operates to give a uniform light output regardless of the positionin which it is used. I iind this particularly important in designing alamp to be used tor medical treatments, which must frequently beoperated in a tilted position. Similarly, the guide hraclet for thesolenoid core eliminates another source otl friction when the lamp isused in a tilted position.

The cabinet and its mounting is very simple and cheap and by providing areflector mounted on the clutch I have savedy somewhat in the necessaryspace. The carhons may be very readily removed, when it is necw essaryto replace or trim them, the upper carbons being removable through theholes 103 provided in the top ot the portion 93 ot the cabinet. t willbe seen that there nothing in the way to prevent the slipping of thesecarbons out through the upper openings. Similarly, the lower carbone maybe removed through the openings lOQ in the base of the portion. 94 ofthe cabinet.

I am aware that the particular embodiment illustrated herein may bechanged considerably, without departing :trom the spirit of myinvention, and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly as indicated bythe appended claims.

Vhat I claim is:

1. An are lamp comprising the combination of a supporting bar, a lowerelectrode holder supported by the lower end ot' said bar, an operatinglever pivoted on the upper end of said bar, a clutch-operating rod sus'pended from one end of said lever, an upper electrode holder, upper andlower electrodes secured to said holders, a rocker arm pivotally mountedon said. bar, a clutch pivotally connected to said rocker arm and thelower end of the operating rod and cooperating with the upper electrode,a solenoid supported by said bar and a core cooperating with saidsolenoid and connected to said operating lever.

2. An are lamp comprising the combination ot a supporting bar having itsupper and lower ends turne-d forwardly, a lower electrode holdersupported by the forwardl' ','turned lower end of said har, an operatinglever pivoted ou the forwardly-turned upper end of said bar, aclutch-operating rod suspended from one end of said lever, an upperelectrode holder, Lipper and lower electrodes secured to said holders, arocker arm pivot-ally mounted on said bar, a clutch pivotally connectedto said rocher arm and said rod and cooperating with the upperelectrode, a solenoid supported by said bar and a core coope ating withsaid solenoid and connected to said operating lever.

3. An are lamp comprising the combination ot' a supporting bar havingits upper and lower ends turned forwardly, a lower electrode holdersupported bv the forward ly-turned lower end of said ar, an operatinglever pivoted on the foi-wardly-turned upper end of said bar, aclutch-operating red suspended from one end of said lever, an upperelectrode holder, upper and lower elee trodes secured to said holders, arocker arm pivotally mounted on said bar, a clutch pivotally connectedto the lower end ot' the operating rod and to said rocker arm andcooperating with the upper electrode, a solenoid supported by said bar,a core cooperating with said solenoid and connected to said operatinglever, a dash, pot carried by the forwardly-turned upper end of said barand a plunger connected to said clutch and worling in said dash pot.

l. In an arc lamp, the combination of a frame, a rocker arm journaled onsaid traine, a plurality of cooperating electrodes, a clutch cooperatingwith one of said electrodes and directly carried by said rocker arm, aclutehoperating link directly con nected to said clutch, a solenoid, acore tor said solenoid, and operating connections between said core andlink.

5. In an are lamp, the combination of a fill frame, a rocker armjournaled on said frame, means for limiting the rocking movement of saidarm, a pluralityV of cooperating electrodes, a clutch cooperating withone of said electrodes and directly carried by said rocker arm, a`clutch-operating link directly connected to said clutch, asolenoid, acore cooperating with said solenoid and operatingV i nectionsbetweensaid core and link.

7. In an arc lamp, the combination of a frame, a sleeve surrounded byinsulating material, a bracket secured to Said frame and supporting saidsleeve, a rocker arm having one end bent to form a trunnion journaled insaid sleeve, a cross pin carried by said trunnion and cooperating with aslot in the end of said sleeve to limit the movement of said arm, aplurality of cooperating electrodes, a` clutch cooperating with one ofsaid electrodes and carried by said rocker arm, a clutch-operating linkconnected to said clutch, a solenoid, a core`forsaid solenoid andoperating connections between Ysaid core and link. ,y

8. In an arc lamp, thecombination of a frame, a rocker arm j ournaled onsaid frame, a plurality of coperating electrodes, a clutch having arearwardly extending arm and a portion embracing one of said electrodes,said clutch being carriedV by the end of said rocker arm, aclutch-operating link connected to the rear end of said clutch arm, asolenoid, a core for said solenoid and operating connections betweensaid core and link.

9. In an arc lamp, the combination of a frame, a plurality ofcooperating electrodes, a clutch member having a portion embracing oneof said electrodes and a rearwardly eX- tending arm, a rocker armjournaled on said frame and having a laterally-extended trunnion at itsforward end on which saidclutch is pivoted, a clutch-operating linkconnected to said clutch arm, a solenoid, a core for said solenoid andoperating connections between said core and link.

10. In an arc lamp, the combination of Va frame, a plurality ofcooperating electrodes, a clutch having la. portion embracing one ofsaid electrodes and a rearwardly-extending clutch arm, a rocker armjournaled on said frame, on which said clutch is pivoted, aclutch-operating rod having arearwardlyextending lower end pvotallyconnected with therear end ofsaid clutch arm, a solenoid,a

core for said solenoid and operatin connections between said core andsaid c utchloperating rod.

11. 'In an arc lamp,

the combination of a frame, a plurality of cooperating electrodes, aclutch having a portion embracing'one of said electrodes and ayrearwardly-extending clutch arm, a rocker arm journaled on said frame,and having a laterally-extending.trunnion at its forward end on whichsaid clutch.

is pivoted, a clutch-operating rod havinga rearwardly-extending lowerend pivotally connected to the rear end of said'clutch arm, a solenoid,a core for said solenoid and operating connections between said core andsaid clutch-operating rod.

12. In an arc lamp, the combination of a frame, a plurality ofcooperating electrodes, a clutch cooperating with one of said electrodesand having a rearwardly-extending vclutch arm, an operating link havinga rearwardly-extending arm at its lower .end pivotally connected to therear end of said clutch arm, a clutch-operating lever pivotallyconnected Vtosaid f said lever being forwardly-extending arm at theupper end of said link, a solenoid, a core for said solenoid andoperating connections between vsaid core and lever.V j

13. In an arc'llamp, the combinationof a supporting bar having its upperend bent forwardly, av plurality of cooperating electrodes, aclutchcooperating with one of said electrodes, a clutch-operating linkhaving its lower end lconnected to said clutch, a U-sha edclutch-operating lever straddling the orwardly-extending portion ofsaidv bar and pivotedy thereon, thev upper end of said link having aforwardly-extending arm disposed between the legs of said U-shaped leverand pivotally connected thereto, means for insulating said link fromsaid lever, a solenoid and a core for said solenoid operativelyconnected with said lever.

14. In an arc lamp, the combination of a supportin. bar having aforwardly turned lower end provided with a slot therein, a post Aclampedin said slot and insulated from Said bar, an electrode and a pair ofclamping members clamped about said post and electrode.

15. In an arc lamp, the combination of supporting means, a plurality' ofelectrodes, a clutch cooperating with one of .said electrodes, means foractuating said'clutch, and a reflector connected to and movable withsaid clutch.

JAMES H. WAGENHORST.

rame, the forward end of pivotally. connected to a

